
Justin Trudeau will be Canada's first prime minster to attend Pride parade
Justin Trudeau has announced that he has signed up for this year's Pride festivities in Toronto. His attendance will mark the first time a Canadian prime minister has ever walked in the parade. "Very much look forward to being there again, this time as PM," he said on Twitter, alongside a photo of himself holding his hands in a heart shape. The 44-year-old is no stranger to the celebrations that take over the country's biggest city each summer, having attended in 2015 prior to winning the election. Other politicians set to join Justin in the parade include Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory.
We’re delighted to announce that @JustinTrudeau will be the first Prime Minister in history to attend #PrideTO! pic.twitter.com/PbAu4KAyRS
— Pride Toronto (@PrideToronto) February 22, 2016
"It's about celebrating the diversity that makes Canada so great," said Justin during last year's event. "We celebrate all different parties, different faiths and different backgrounds. We recognize this wonderful freedom that we have here in Canada and we don't take it for granted and [it's something] we know we have to keep working on around the world."
Justin attended the 2015 parade as leader of the Liberal Party. Photo: © The Canadian Press/Chris Young
Before attending Pride Toronto in July, the father of three will travel to Washington to meet with President Obama. Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau will join her husband on the trip, which will include a state dinner at the White House on Mar. 10. It has been more than 18 years since a Canadian prime minister embarked on a state visit to the U.S. capital.